Consultation needed on organ donation debate

The Health Minister's announcement, to look into changing the law surrounding organ donation in Wales, in particular, the consideration to introducing an opt-out system, is a good move.

For many years now we've backed the idea of a “soft” opt-out system. There is little doubt that such a system would produce a far higher potential donor rate than at present, which is far too low at 22%. Experience of other European countries that have already introduced an opt-out scheme have proven this to be the case. More than 500 people in Wales are still waiting for transplants and one person dies each day in the UK, waiting.

A “soft” opt-out system involves people having the opportunity at EVERY stage, to make it known if they do not want to donate their organs after death. Consent to donation would only be presumed, if individuals expressed no objection. Families would also be consulted and donation would not proceed if relatives would be seriously distressed. Doctors would consult with patients’ and their loved ones, every step of the way.

In previous public opinion surveys, the vast majority of people say they would be willing to donate their organs. Unfortunately, this does not translate into people who actually sign the register. This is where the crux of the problem lies. People want to be donors, but for whatever reason, they just don't get round to signing the register. Of course, that would not be an issue with an opt-out system and that is how a change to legislation, could make all the difference to anyone left waiting on the organ donor register.

By making improvements to the transplant infrastructure as well, such as more training, increasing the availability of transplant co-ordinators, reviewing the health service’s capacity to cope and ensuring sufficient availability of intensive and critical care beds, then Wales would really be able to say it had made a significant contribution to saving the lives of those on transplant lists.

Another clear message from this consultation is that far more needs to be done to ensure the public is fully informed about the current system and fully involved in any future changes and decisions.

What do you think about introducing a "soft" opt-out system?

Be interesting to know what doctors' views are on this...

The wait goes on for hundreds of people in Wales on the organ donor register

Hard-hitting health campaigns can nowadays, seem to lack the very ‘shock’ factor they are trying to illicit. But I think the latest TV advert by Kidney Wales certainly should get across the point to viewers about just how important it is anyone considering signing up to the organ donor register does so, NOW. The fact that one person dies every 11 days waiting for a transplant really does illustrate how time is of the essence for anyone on the transplant list.

I also think this just goes to prove again how important it is that we move towards a system of presumed consent, as chairman of Kidney Wales Roy J Thomas says “We are in the grips of an organ donor crisis in Wales”. I still think the best way of tackling this crisis is to change the system as it stands now. And that’s why I welcome the private member’s bill on presumed consent being debated in the House of Commons tomorrow (put forward by Jeremy Browne, MP).

The BMA backs the idea of presumed consent, which would see all adults having the opportunity at every stage, to make it known if they do not want to donate their organs after death. Among the safeguards proposed - high profile publicity campaigns which would make everyone aware of the choices. Consent to donation would only be presumed, if individuals expressed no objection. Families would also be consulted and donation would not proceed if relatives would be seriously distressed. Doctors would consult with patients’ and their loved ones, every step of the way.

Some 90% of people say they would be willing to donate their organs. Unfortunately, this does not translate into people who actually sign the register - that stands at roughly 30%. And there lies the crux of the problem, it seems people want to be donors, but for whatever reason, they just don’t get round to signing the register. Of course, that wouldn’t be an issue with a presumed consent system and that is how a change to legislation, could make all the difference to anyone left waiting on the organ donor register.

Find out all about the BMA’s position on presumed consent by reading the BMA’s briefing paper on organ donation

Sign up to the organ donor register

Misconceptions remain about organ donation

The new NHS Blood and Transplant website survey points to a growing culture of support for organ donation, but it also shows how much work is STILL needed in reassuring donors about the whole transplantation process.

In our evidence to the Welsh Assembly Government committee set up to consider presumed consent, particular emphasis was placed on the need to ensure that comprehensive information is made available to everyone about the process of organ donation.

It is obviously something we all would wish to put to the back of our minds, but what a wonderful gesture and enduring life-saving gift each one of us could potentially make after our death - if the unthinkable were to happen. You only have to read the testaments of those people fortunate to have received a life saving donation to appreciate this.

The NHS and the heath professionals who work in it strive to keep the interests of the individual patient at the forefront at all times. It is only after everything possible that could be done, has been done, that the potential for transplantation becomes an issue, and ONLY in line with the wishes of the patient and their family. It is at this time that the expert services of transplant teams come to the fore.

And I cannot better the comments of Dr. Paul Murphy in summing up the ethos of their work. I would have the complete confidence of doctors and other health professionals working in this area. Far more needs to be done to communicate the processes and safeguards that exist and reassure everyone who is considering joining the donor register that any fears they may have, are unfounded.

It is for this reason I am on the donor register myself and why the BMA and a majority of the public feel able to support a move to presumed consent.